Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a balanced approach to pest management. It’s unique in the industry because it focuses on eliminating the root causes of a pest problem instead of focusing on pesticides as the only solution. It’s really a combination of techniques meant to target the specific problem in a way that respects the customer and his or her property.

An Environmentally Friendly Approach to Pest Management

Some pest control companies take a one-size-fits-all approach to pest management. They might set a few traps here, or spray a lot of pesticides there, and move on to the next house.  IPM takes a different approach, one that considers the nature of the pest, the needs of the home or business, and the people and pets around the property. To do this, controlling the pest comes first instead of picking out a chemical pesticide to use.

Focus on Pest Habitat

Every pest needs a habitat with a few essential features, like food, shelter, and water. Pesticides alone don’t provide a solution to the pest habitat problem—they might kill or discourage certain pests, but when the pesticide wears off, the habitat remains. IPM looks for ways to remove one or more of these elements entirely or block access to them.

Responsible Treatments

If pesticides are needed, IPM takes a balanced and responsible approach to treatments. Only EPA-registered pesticides specifically labeled safe for residences are used in IPM and all treatments are extremely targeted and strategic. This feature is especially useful for those concerned with the health of nearby plants and pets.

Customized Management Programs

Another important part of IPM is the emphasis it puts on the needs of the individual customer and home. Customers have the option of choosing chemical-free and low-toxic solutions when part an individual pest management program. 

Payne Pest Management is your choice for pest management that respects both you and your home. We’re proud to practice integrated pest management for every job we perform in Orange County, including those for eliminating bed bugs, termites, ants, cockroaches, and mice. Give us a call today at (949) 450-9955 for pest management that puts you first.

Despite the name, bed bugs will live almost anywhere—they just prefer beds because they like to feed on your blood for hours on end. Because bed bugs are difficult to get rid off, the best way to protect yourself from an infestation is through prevention. Be careful when you go on vacation, don’t pick up questionable used furniture, and learn how to spot bed bugs early on to avoid a full-blown bed bug problem.  

Watch Out for Hitchhiking Bed Bugs

Bed bugs don’t discriminate when it comes to hotels either. Five-star resorts and run-down motels are all fair game for these parasites. If you really want to avoid hotel room bed bugs from hitching a ride with you, stick your luggage in the bathroom and perform a bed bug search. Start with the bed. Look behind the head board, along the seams of the mattress, and around the bed in general for clusters of tiny tan or dark reddish spots. If you see bed bugs, change rooms or hotels.

Don’t Pick Up Curbside Furniture

Think twice about picking up free furniture you spot along the street. As mentioned before, bed bugs will live almost anywhere a human rests. That includes upholstered sofas and chairs. Some cities with disproportionate bed bug problems, like New York City, actually require you to label a bed bug-infested mattress as such before placing it on the street.

Call a Professional if You See Bed Bugs

You can prevent bed bug colonies from expanding if you call for help as soon as you spot one. These little parasites are extremely small, so you really have to know what you’re looking for. They’re about the size of a poppy seed but grow a bit after they feed. When they’re stuffed, bed bugs are easier to spot because they change color from a light tan to a deep, dark red. Another sign of bed bugs are tiny spots of dried blood, something they leave behind to make room for more food.

Let Payne Pest Management put your bed bug problem to sleep for good. Our licensed and trained professionals will inspect, detect, treat, and remove bed bugs from your home. For more information about Orange County bed bug removal, give us a call at (949) 450-9955.

Termites cause billions in damage to homes and buildings in the U.S. each year. If you suspect you might be next to add onto that number, look for signs of termites and call a professional if you need help.

Termite swarms are an indication of a termite problem in your area. During these swarms, male and female termites pair up and break off from the pack to set up colonies. You may have a drywood termite problem if you notice small pellets, or termite droppings, around your home. Termite problems in the neighborhood are also an indication you’re at risk for a termite infestation, and you should consider scheduling a termite inspection. Watch this video for more tips on recognizing termite problems.

Payne Pest Management is Orange County’s choice for termite treatments and fumigations. We also deal with other pest problems, like beg bugs and rodents. Give us a call at (949) 450-9955 to solve your termite or pest problem.

Do you hire an exterminator or do you do it yourself? A professional has the know-how when it comes to eliminating pests, but you may save a little money by attempting to do it yourself. However, what you don’t know is that some pest control methods actually aggravate infestations, and the money spent on store-bought products for long-term pest problems may cost you quite a bit in the end with no results. Consider these three reasons to hire a professional pest management company for your pest problem.

1. Experience: All those brightly colored bug bottles at your local drug store make DIY pest control tempting. But the fact is controlling and eliminating a serious pest problem is best left to a professional. Off-the-shelf products are a waste of money if you don’t know what you’re dealing with, the true extent of the infestation, and the best way to target the problem. Choose a professional instead who has been educated, trained, and licensed to both eliminate pests and prevent them from coming back.
2. Safety: Pest management professionals are also trained in the safe and proper handling of pesticides. You may not realize that some pesticides can harm pets, plants, and even people—especially little ones. What’s more, pest management professionals use effective methods of pest control besides pesticide use. By blocking access to the food sources, removing potential habitats, and identifying and sealing entry points, a professional pest control company makes a house less pest-friendly overall.
3. Confidence: When you choose a company with a good reputation, work ethic, and qualifications, you’ll have more confidence that your pest problem won’t return. There’s nothing worse than thinking you’ve gotten rid of an infestation only to discover the problem was escalating out of view. You can also be confident that the methods used during the pest control process were safe, necessary, and effective when you hire a professional.   

All the pest management professionals at Payne Pest Management are educated and trained to locate, treat, eliminate, and prevent all forms of pests in Southern California. We pride ourselves on responsible and thorough pest management and prevention, and we can’t wait to help you out. Give us a call at (949) 450-9955 for Orange County pest control.

For over 100 million years, termites have lived for the taste of wood. And after all that time they’ve gotten really good at locating and harvesting wood to support their termite towns—colonies that sometimes number in the hundreds of thousands. But the same traits that make termites effective wood eaters also serve as dead giveaways when it comes to spotting termite problems. Here are some signs that termites are helping themselves to your home.

Droppings

Unlike subterranean termites, drywood termites actually live inside beams of wood. Because they live, eat, and defecate in the same place 24/7, they’ve developed a unique way to discard fecal droppings. Drywood termites construct little round holes in the infested wood which serve as exit points for their droppings. If you discover hard, elongated, and extremely small tan and black pellets around your home, it could be a sign of termites.

Mud Tunnels

Subterranean termites need to stay moist at all times to survive. This presents a unique challenge for securing food sources above ground without drying out. They deal with this problem by creating moisture-tight tunnels made of mud, allowing them to travel safely back and forth from food source to colony. Consider it a sign you have a termite problem is you notice brown, spaghetti-like tubes inching up from the soil, especially those that seem to follow cracks in walls or door and window framings.

Mating Swarms

Have you ever looked out your window in the spring or autumn and noticed a flying swarm of ant-like insects? Well, those are actually reproductive termites looking to reproduce. When a male chooses a female, they fly off together and start a colony. It’s sort of romantic unless your home is where they choose to have their honeymoon. Consider winged termites a sign of a possible infestation below.

Payne Pest Management offers professional termite treatments and fumigations. Don’t let termites damage your home and call us for an inspection today. Southern California is one of the few areas in the country that has both drywood and subterranean termites, so call our Orange County termite control team today at (949) 450-9955.